When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.
It was not long ago that the Philistines were soundly beaten, and put to the worse, before Israel, and they would have been totally routed if Saul's rashness had not prevented; but here we have them making head again. Observe, I. How they defied Israel with their armies, Sa1 17:1.
Commenting on 1 Samuel 17:1-11
When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine,.... For they were delivered with such a tone and strength of voice, as to be heard very generally, at least by many, and which soon was reported through the whole army: they were dismayed, and greatly afraid; which may seem strange, when there were so many valiant men among them, as Saul himself, who...
Saul and all Israel - were dismayed - They saw no man able to accept the challenge.